Under the red cliffs
In Cafayate, northern Argentina, human life quietly tucks itself into this desert valley of rock, dust and wool.
Under the red cliffs
In Cafayate, northern Argentina, human life quietly tucks itself into this desert valley of rock, dust and wool.
Awards
Art of Storytelling Contest
2025Honorable Mention
Portrait of a Place
Non Professional
Under the red cliffs
In Cafayate, northern Argentina, human life quietly tucks itself into this desert valley of rock, dust and wool.
About Artist
Sofia Stead
I’m a documentary filmmaker and photographer from Argentina. My artistic work lives somewhere between film and still images, and almost always circles around the same questions: how do people – especially women – relate to the land, and what does creativity make possible in their lives? I’m drawn to women who hold their communities together, often quietly: through craft, care and work that is rarely seen or celebrated. In northern Argentina, I’ve been documenting Qom women who live deep inside El Impenetrable, a remote forest where daily life is shaped by the landscape. Every day they walk together to harvest palm leaves, then cut, dry and weave them into baskets. That slow, physical process is their main income and one of their few links to the outside world. What interests me is not only the final objects, but the shared walks, the conversations in the shade, the way community and nature are completely intertwined. In other projects, I follow women who live close to the sea or in small rural towns. I pay attention to small gestures: hands preparing food, repairing nets, weaving, braiding hair, resting after a long day. I’m less interested in spectacular moments and more in the quiet, repetitive actions that reveal how someone relates to a place, and to the people around them. A big part of my practice is asking myself what creativity is for. I don’t see art as something separate from life, or as something “decorative”. I’m convinced that through images and stories we can teach, make things visible, and bring attention to people and topics that matter. For me, the camera is a way to slow down and say: look at this, stay here a little longer, this deserves your time. Visually, I work in a calm and observational way. I prefer natural light, minimal staging and staying long enough that people forget a bit about the camera. I try to build relationships where being filmed or photographed feels more like having a guest than being inspected. I’m always balancing two responsibilities: to make honest, strong images, and to protect the dignity and complexity of the people who trust me with their stories. Travel has shaped my life, but my work is not about chasing “exotic” places. I’m more interested in questions like: who gets to move freely and who doesn’t? Who is seen and who is invisible? How do women keep creating, caring and imagining under pressure? Through my films and photographs, I hope to invite viewers into these questions and into a quieter kind of admiration for the people on the other side of the lens.
Explore Other Winners
View All